Music Trade Review

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Newspaper men as a class are not spe-
cially remarkable for their sensitiveness,
and the whole thing in a nutshell is this:
Manufacturers held their convention, as
they had a perfect right to, and excluded
members of the press. There was nothing
very remarkable about that, and we see no
cause for criticism or compfaint.
The constitution and by-laws of the new
organization, as far as perfected, do not
differ materially from that already adopted
by the American Piano Manufacturers'
Association. It states that the object of
the association shall be for mutual protec-
tion and promotion of manufacturing and
trade interests. The constitution may be
altered by a two-thirds vote of those
present at any regular or special meeting,
the call for which may be made at twenty
days' notice. The election of officers shall
be at the annual meeting, which shall take
place on the second Wednesday in June.
All are eligible to a membership who are
manufacturers in good standing.
The nominating and membership com-
mittee for the ensuing year are Robert Prod-
dow, William Dalliba Dutton, G. A. Gibson.
The banquet, which was given at Man-
hattan Beach Hotel,did not differ materially
from other social affairs. There were no
set toasts, and perhaps that part of the pro-
gram would have been more enjoyable if
a regular line of speakers had addressed
the meeting rather than to have had so
many irrelevant matters referred to.
A. J. Fischer, president of the American
Piano Manufacturers' Association, acted as
toast master, and certainly Mr. Fischer
deserves great credit for the tact and
diplomacy which he exercised in the situa-
tion, which was not entirely free from per-
plexities, in which he found himself last
Wednesday night after the menu had been
discussed at length. Mr. Fischer declared
that he took great satisfaction in announ-
cing the result of the business conference
of the day was the formation of a national
organization, and that he was happy to
state that the matters had gone through to
a satisfactory conclusion without a dissent-
ing vote. He next introduced Henry F.
Miller as the president of the National
Association.
Mr. Miller is a dignified talker, and said,
among other things, that he was proud to
belong to the piano industry, as it was in
every sense an ennobling trade. He felt
naturally highly honored at being selected
for the first national president. Mr. Miller
paid a tribute to the master minds who
have long since joined the great majority.
He spoke of the prominence that Jonas
Chickering had achieved in the early days
of the industry and what he had contributed
towards its growth. Then he paid a glow-
ing tribute to the memory of William Stein-
way, who, he said, would be remembered
as long as pianos are built. Also, he spoke
of the Knabes. Mr. Miller's speech was
dignified, diplomatic and courteous, and
created a very favorable impression.
He was followed by Mr. Wheelock, who
talked in a chatty, informal and humorous
way; next by Geo. P. Bent, who said that
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
he was satisfied that a good beginning had
been made, and while he felt a little lone-
some in the fact that he was not surrounded
by more of his Western friends, yet he felt
assured of the association's success.
Saiiterne.
Manzanilla.
MENU.
Little Neck clams.
Geeen turtle, clear.
Olives, Celery. Radishes. Salted Almonds.
Ze I tinker.
Broiled Spanish mackerel, sauce tartare.
Cucumbers.
Potatoes duchesse.
St. Estephc.
Beef filet larded, Manhattan.
Corn au gratin.
Stuffed lettuce.
Sweetbreads en caisses, Sam Ward.
French peas.
Cigarettes.
Lalla Rookh punch.
Roast squab, English walnut dressing.
Pommery Sec, G. H. Mumm.
Lettuce and tomato salads.
Pudding a la reine.
Ice cream, Tortoni.
Charlotte, moderne.
Mottoes.
Petits fours.
Cognac.
Fruit.
Cheese.
Coffee.
Cigars.
William D. Dutton, who is one of the
committee on plan, was next called upon.
He was followed by Geo. F. Blake, of Bos-
ton; then the representatives of the differ-
ent trade papers.
It seems here was injected one of the
parts of the entertainment which was not
down on the program. Mr. Fischer made
some complimentary remarks regarding the
trade press and mentioned the names of
three leading papers. He had just reached
this point when he was interrupted by a
trade editor, who asked, "What's the mat-
ter with
?" naming his paper. Well,
in order that there should be no jealousy
or ill-will generated, every New York music
trade editor and one from Chicago was
called upon for remarks.
It seems to us to be most regrettable
and it was an unfortunate part of the en-
tertainment. It would have been much
better to have selected some one member of
the trade press and ended it there, but the
idea of parading every editor before the
guests was too much. There is a play
which has been particularly successful in
New York entitled "Too Much Johnson."
We might paraphrase that by saying that
at the dinner at Manhattan Beach there was
"too much trade press." One representative
should have been sufficient, and any one
could have been selected who would have
responded in a dignified way for the press,
but as it was the situation of the press be-
came ridiculous and almost farcical.
Chas. H. Parsons entertained the com-
pany with some well chosen remarks. Mr.
Parsons is a clever talker and has a keen
sense of humor which makes him a good
post-prandial orator.
J. Burns Brown expressed himself in a
clever way upon the possible future of the
association.
H. Paul Mehlin said some very pertinent
words.
An interesting part of the banquet was
the singing of well-known melodies, little
books being distributed at each plate, and
the menu was interspersed by an occasional
song in which everybody participated.
ADOLPHO H. FISCHER.
President A. P. M. A.
Desirous of obtaining the views of the
president of the local association upon
what the Convention accomplished, The
Review asked Mr. A. H. Fischer a number
of questions as follows:
"Did the meeting for purposes of or-
ganization prove to be as successful as an-
ticipated, in point of attendance and of
national interest displayed?"
"More so. The attendance was very
satisfactory as to numbers and partook
of a strongly representative character. We
anticipated a fair success, nothing more.
Many letters were received from other
States supporting our ideas, and we were
certain, before the event, that an active
interest would be displayed outside of
the local organization. Now we feel sure
that our efforts were appreciated in all
sections and we believe they are in the
right direction."
"It was noted that the Eastern manu-
facturers made a strong showing, whereas
those of the West had but one representa-
tive. To what causes do you attribute
their absence?"
"Judging from the number of written
assurances of support received, I think
that home engagements connected with
their factories, together with the impracti-
cability of attending without the loss of
several days, had much to do with the lack
of Representation, but we had many let-
ters declaring an intention to join when
an organization was formed."
"It has been asserted on several occa-
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